December 13, 2022

234: Work Environments That Work for Everyone with Genie Love

34 minutes

Many studies have shown that the best and most innovative companies are those who embrace diversity and make an effort to recruit people with different personalities and different strengths. While some areas of diversity are visible, one in particular is not: neurodiversity. People who are neurodivergent have brain differences that affect how their brains work. As managers, it's up to us to be knowledgeable about neurodiversity and create work environments where neurodivergent people can be their truest and best selves.

Today’s guest is Genie Love. Genie has been trying to figure out how to stay focused and attentive, how to decrease procrastination, how to manage “to do” lists, and generally how to get things done her entire adult life. As an executive functioning coach, she brings her personal trial and error experience as well as 20 years of experience teaching high school students with ADD and Autism to help adults take control of their time and attention.

Genie and I talk about what neurodiversity means and how our work environments help or hinder different ways people’s brains work. We get into strategies to help yourself and your team members to create workplaces that work for all different brains.

One member of the Modern Manager community can get a 1.5-hour consulting session focused on simple strategies to support underutilized human assets in your organization. She will provide tips on the use of physical space, training in executive functioning, and strategies in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retention in order to increase productivity and job satisfaction. Get this bonus and more when you join the Modern Manager community.

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Read the related blog article: How to Support Neurodivergent Team Members

KEEP UP WITH GENIE:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genie-love-4b13451b8/

Website: https://genielove.coach/

Key Takeaways:

Neuordivergent thinking is a spectrum of different ways of processing, communicating, and thinking. It includes ADHD, autism, and dyslexia among others.

Neurodivergent teammates may have trouble creating a work plan, getting ideas across verbally or in writing, or sitting still for long periods of time.

Consider how space impacts a person's ability to focus. Some people are sensitive to noise, lighting, visual distractions and furniture.

Invest in seating options. When possible, provide options of a rigid chair, reclining chair, ball chair, or standing desk, each of which may be a good fit for an individual or can help at different energy levels or with types of work.

Create a time for colleagues to share what their needs are or what might help them engage more fully.

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By Mamie Kanfer Stewart

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